5 Creative Ways to Grow the Brand of Baseball Internationally

The game of baseball is known as "America's pastime," and while the game has certainly planted itself in countries outside the United States, the MLB could use an upgrade in terms of branding in other countries.

So many of the game's past MVPs, World Series winners and Cy Young hurlers were born and raised in another country. This highlights the need for the MLB to expand itself internationally.

The NBA is well established overseas, while Roger Goodell and the NFL continue their efforts to bring an NFL franchise to London.

Exhibitions Outside the U.S.

One way to draw attention to the MLB and the entire brand of baseball is to play exhibition games outside of the U.S.

Bringing two MLB teams to a different country to play an exhibition game would be one of the easiest ways to grow the game outside of the U.S.

Perhaps a portion of spring training should be spent in a warmer climate country, where intersquad scrimmages and spring training games can be played before baseball fans from a different country.

The ideal situation would be to send high-profile teams like the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers overseas to represent the game, as they're some of the most recognized teams in all of baseball.

World Series Champions Play Champions of Other Leagues Outside U.S.

Another creative way to bring the MLB brand to countries outside the U.S. is by bringing our best talent to them.

With that, I mean the defending World Series champions from the MLB travel to other countries to take on the champs of their respected leagues.

For instance, the San Francisco Giants would take a trip to Japan and play a seven-game series vs. winners of the Japan Championship Series, which would be the Yomiuri Giants if it happened this year.

Pinning subpar teams against each other isn't going to do a thing for the brand of baseball here or in another country, which is why the MLB would be wise to bring its best talent to another country and have them duke it out on their turf.

Hosting the World Series at a Neutral Site Abroad

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Fans wouldn't be pleased, but MLB executives might be.

While I'm not necessarily in favor of pulling one of the greatest events in sports and moving it to another country, one of the easiest ways to showcase baseball and the MLB is to host the world series outside of the U.S.

A country like Japan would do just fine, as we know their fields and equipment are up to par.

The MLB already draws enough excitement off of the World Series in the U.S. Can you imagine how many fans from other countries would be immediately hooked on the brand after watching a seven-game series?

I hope it never comes down to this, but hosting the World Series outside of the U.S. would be one of the most successful ways to grow baseball in other countries.